Liverpool hires private jet for return of Brazilian pair

Liverpool is doubling down on their efforts to win the Merseyside Derby by hiring a private jet to return Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino from international duty in Brazil.

Fenway Sports Group, who holds ownership of Liverpool FC, has sanctioned the rental of a jet to enable Coutinho and Firmino to return to training with Jurgen Klopp’s squad on Thursday ahead of Liverpool’s derby match against Everton in the Premier League.

It would be considered a worthy investment if Klopp’s side maintain their pursuit of Champions League qualification with victory in against the Toffees.

Liverpool currently sit fourth in the Premier League and victory over their local rivals would strengthen their bid to secure a top four spot, but with Everton six points behind in sixth place the Toffees could threaten to join in the competition for Champions League football next season if they secure their first win at Anfield since 1999.

In the past, the Anfield club has worked together with other teams to share travel costs for their Brazilian players. They hired a private jet to bring Sadio Mane back from the Africa Cup of Nations back in January, making this occasion the second time in months .

This week, the offensive pair of Firmino and Coutinho played in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier win against Paraguay in Sao Paulo — leaving them only two full days to prepare for Everton’s latest Premier League visit to Anfield.

Brazil boast a comfortable seven-point lead over second-placed Uruguay in qualification for the 2018 World Cup with five matches to play.